Friday, June 29, 2012

UAMS begins Ray Winder demolition

UAMS has begun the final clearance of the former Ray Winder Field baseball stadium in War Memorial Park.

The med center has owned the property for several years, after acquistion from the city and the state Department of Human services.

UAMS spokeswoman Leslie Taylor said the contractor had recently completed removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials in the structure and has begun demolition of small structures and the stadium itself. The razing of the outfield fence will soon follow.

She said the fence along Interstate 630 will start going down after the July 4 holiday. This could require temporary lane closures on the freeway for short periods. That work will be done at night or early morning to avoid major disruptions, Taylor said.

In the short term, the cleared ground will be a parking lot. In time, Taylor said, it will be the site of a university institute or college facility. The clearance is costing $1.3 million.

The last baseball game was played there in 2006. The Arkansas Travelers moved to Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock in 2007.

CORRECTION: I got some inaccurate information for the original post that indicated fence removal would precede grandstand demolition. The stadium is going first and should be gone by next week.

Speaking of Ray Winder Field, UAMS

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